As expected, head coach Jim Harbaughsaid Akers would remain the 49ers' placekicker after the 15-year veteran followed a forgettable regular season by making his only field-goal attempt in Saturday's 45-31 divisional-playoff win over the Packers.

Akers made a 36-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter to give San Francisco a 24-21 lead.

Recently signed Billy Cundiffremains on the 53-man roster and figures to be kept as insurance in the event Akers struggles after ranking 30th in the NFL in field-goal percentage (69.0).

This week, Akers won't compete with Cundiff for the right to kick against the Falcons on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. The duo engaged in a practice competition shortly after Cundiff was signed Jan. 1.

"David's our kicker," Harbaugh said.

Abraham expected to play: Falcons defensive end John Abraham, who had team highs in sacks (10) and forced fumbles (6), is expected to play Sunday after he exited Atlanta's 30-28 win over Seattle in the second quarter with an ankle injury.

"We anticipate John will be back out practicing with us before the end of the week," Atlanta head coach Mike Smithsaid.

Abraham, 34, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, initially sustained the ankle injury Dec. 30 in the Falcons' regular-season finale. He was listed as questionable for Atlanta's win over Seattle, during which he played 15 snaps.

Playoff memory: As a matter of fact, Harbaugh does recall the last time the 49ers won a road playoff game.

Harbaugh, then a 25-year-old backup quarterback with the Bears, had a front-row seat as San Francisco beat Chicago 28-3 at Soldier Field in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 8, 1989.